Grilled Orange Polenta Topped With Crabmeat Salad And Herb Oil Food

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, bring the water and the salt to just a boil. Reduce the heat, slowly whisk in the polenta and season with pepper. Continue to whisk until the mixture starts to tighten up, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the fresh chopped herbs, 2 tablespoons of the butter and the Parmesan. Continue to stir until well combined and very thick, taste for seasoning adjustment.
• Liberally butter a 10-inch springform pan on the bottom and about 2-inches up the side. Pour in the hot polenta and with a rubber spatula, rubbed with butter, smooth out the top. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to set. (This can also be done up to 1 day ahead.)
• Preheat a grill to medium.
• When ready to grill, or pan fry, remove the polenta from the pan and cut it into equal pie shapes or cut circles with a biscuit cutter. Lightly oil a grill, brush each side of the polenta with olive oil and grill or pan sear until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Arrange the polenta on a serving platter and serve hot.

CHILE-RUBBED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH GARLIC-HERB OIL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Mix together the ancho chile powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the olive oil on the tenderloin, then rub evenly with the spice mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Heat the canola oil in a large ovensafe skillet, preferably cast-iron, over medium-high heat. Sear the tenderloin (bending it to fit in the skillet if necessary) until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the tenderloin reads 130 degrees F (for medium rare), about 20 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Remove the string and slice the tenderloin crosswise. Spoon over some of the Garlic-Herb Oil and sprinkle the meat with additional salt. Serve the remaining Garlic-Herb Oil in a bowl on the side.
• Combine the olive oil and garlic in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to medium low and gently poach the garlic for 5 minutes; the oil should be at a very bare simmer but not boiling, otherwise the garlic will burn. Turn off the heat and allow to cool completely.
• Remove the garlic from the oil and discard; transfer the oil to a bowl. Add the parsley, cilantro, chives, red pepper flakes and salt to taste to the oil and stir to combine.

GARDEN ORZO SALAD WITH HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• In a food processor add lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, cider vinegar, parsley, basil. Turn on the processor and slowly add the olive oil until the mixture is blended together. Process until smooth and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To a large mixing bowl add the raw corn kernels, diced celery, seeded and diced cucumber and whole cherry tomatoes.
• Once orzo is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water; drain well. Add cooled orzo to bowl and toss. Add dressing to salad and toss again. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

GRILLED POLENTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the polenta, 1 1/2 quarts water and salt in a 2-quart baking dish, and stir together. Place the baking dish on top of a sheet pan (so that if water sloshes when you put it in the oven, it will just go onto the sheet pan), and place in the oven. Bake one hour. Remove from the oven, stir in the butter and return to the oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and stir again. Return to the oven for 10 to 20 minutes, until stiff. Remove from the oven and allow to cool, then chill for one hour or more.
• Prepare a medium grill or heat an electric griddle on medium. Cut the polenta into squares, and brush the squares on both sides with olive oil. Place on the grill or griddle. When grill marks appear or when nicely browned, usually in about two to three minutes, turn and brown the other side. Serve hot.

CRAB & POLENTA BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick spray; set aside.
• MAKE THE POLENTA:.
• Combine water and salt in a saucepan over high heat.
• Slowly whisk in cornmeal, reduce heat to low, and simmer whisking constantly, until polenta is thick and smooth, 10 minutes.(My grandmother taught me to do it with a wooden spoon!).
• Remove polenta from heat; add Parmesan, cream, butter, and 1/2 tsp (or more) Tabasco, whisking until butter melts. (Toppings stay on the polenta better if it's smoothed a bit before chilling - use an offset spatula or a spoon.).
• Spread polenta in the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and chill 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat a grill pan over high heat or preheat broiler to low.
• Turn chilled polenta out of pan; cut into 16 squares and brush with olive oil.
• Place polenta squares in grill pan and grill for 8-10 minutes or place polenta squares on broiler pan and broil until lightly browned.(When char marks are visible on the polenta edges, use a sturdy spatual to release it from the grill pan.).
• Cut squares into triangles.
• MAKE THE CRAB SALAD:.
• Combine tomatoes, scallions, maynnaise, sour cream, lime juice and the remaining Tabasco for the salad in a bowl until blended.
• Gently stir in crabmeat with a fork to coat with dressing.
• To serve, top each polenta triangle with 1 teaspoon crab salad.